Steam spray sweeper



Oct. 22, 1940. E, RUD|G|ER 2,218,625

' STEAM SPRAY SWEEPER v Filed ApI il 4, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 O t- 22.1940- v E. A.RUD lGlER 2,218,625

STEAM SPRAY SWEEPER Filed April 1939 Z-Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 22,1940 STEAM SPRAY SWEEPER Edward A. Rudigier, Baltimore, -Md., assignor'to Standard Oil Development Company, a' corporation of DelawareApplication April 4, 1939, Serial No. 265,987

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to a method and means for preventing thedeposition of solid or semi-solid materials on the bottom of a containerfor liquids. More particularly, the invention relates to a method andapparatus for inhibiting incrustation of the bottom of a shell still inthe distillation of petroleum oils or other liquids tending to depositcoke or the like when heated.

In the conventional distillation of petroleum oils in a shell still,with or without the introduction of steam to assist in the removal oflighter fractions, it has been found that, that portion of the shellwhich is exposed to the hot combustion gases and to the radiant heat ofthe furnace, tends to burn out quite rapidly. Pri

marily, this has been due to the rapid incrustation of the still bottomwith coke produced by heating of the oil. Although for the most part thecoke is produced as fine particles, it settles to the bottom and there,under the influence of the higher temperature directly above the furnacecombustion chamber, becomes compacted and solidified into a fiinty mass,extremely difficult to remove. By reason of the poor heat conductioncharacteristics of this carbonaceous deposit, it causes over-heating ofthe metal to which it adheres. Continued and unequal overheating of theshell causes the plates to buckle and to burn out. To correct theexisting conditions, it is the object'of this invention to maintain aconstant and positive agitation of the- The invention is fully set forthin the following specification and may be clearly understood therefromwhen read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which 7 Fig.1 is a vertical section along the longitudinal axis of a stillinstallation;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section of the same still, along the lineII-1I, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings and Fig. 1, the numeral l designates astill shell. The numeral 2 designates I-beams bracing the shell andcarrying bearing members 3. A steam pipe 4 is supported in said bearingsfor oscillating movement therein. The pipe 4 is provided with swingjoints 5 through which a steam connection is made with supply pipes 6passing out of the shell as at l and 8, respectively.

A discharge pipe 9 is disposed in closely spaced relation to the shellfloor, supported by means of pipes l9 and cross-members 'H, the formerproviding steam connections between the distributing pipe 4 anddischarge pipe 9. Counter weight members I2 are secured to the pipe 4 to5 partially compensate for the weight of pipe 9 and the connectingframe-work. Because of the obstruction of other equipment within theshell, such as the float gauge mechanism I3, it is sometimes necessaryto use a shortened distributing 10 pipe. -In such instance, as shown,the discharge pipe need not also be of reduced length, the portion I4which extends beyond the distributing pipe 4 being suitably braced, asby angle stiffener [5. The discharge pipe 9 is provided with jet 15members [6 along its lower surface, which extend downward into closerrelation with the bottom of shell I discharging fine jets of steamagainst the bottom at high velocity. The disposition and structure ofone of these jets is more 20 clearly shown in the enlarged view in Fig.3.

The structure comprising the distributing pipe 4, the connecting pipesIll, the cross-members I I and discharge pipe 9 constitutes the sweepermechanism. This sweeper is oscillated in the bearings 3 by means of alever arm ll mounted on the distributing pipe 4, connecting rod I8 andpush rod l9 extending through the shell by means of the packing nutassembly 20, secured to the shell. The rod I9 is connected to a sourceof power not shown. Reciprocating motion imparted to the push rod I9 isconverted into oscillatory motion of the sweeper through the connectingrod 18 and the arm l l. The arc through which the sweeper moves is, ofcourse, dependent upon the length of the push rod thrust, and may bereadily adjusted as required. The extreme positions of the sweeper shownby dotted lines at A and B in Fig. 2 are preferred for mostinstallations, but the extent of such movement may be increased ordecreased at will.

As mentionedabove, the discharge pipe 9 may be fitted with nozzle or jetmembers ill for the high velocity discharge of steam against the 4bottom wall. A typical jet member is illustrated 5 in Fig. 3. Itcomprises a small section of pipe threaded into an opening in the lowerside of the pipe 9. A number of such nozzles are provided at closelyspaced intervals. These jet members, as shown, may be drilled so as toprovide a 1 frusto-conical discharge passage lfia converging inwardly toa throat portion I61) and then expanding to open into the discharge pipe9. The jet member l6 may be of any convenient form, 65

to provide steam jets of any desirable character. Fan shaped jets may bedesirable.

The operation of the apparatus is substantially self-evident. Whendistilling liquids in the shell still illustrated, the steam spraysweeper is actuated in the manner provided in order to maintain aconstant discharge of steam against the shell bottom and dislodge anydeposits which may tend to form or settle out of the liquid contents.The steam discharge not only sweeps the bottom from side to side inoscillatory fashion, but also aids in the distillation step by itsstripping action. The discharge of steam and the oscillatory movement ofthe sweeper frame through the body of the oil provides for positiveagitation of the liquid contents.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to the morespecific embodiments thereof, it should be apparent that numerousmodifications and structural changes may be made without departing fromthe inventive concept. It is not intended that the invention be limitedby the specific details set forth for the purpose of illustration, butonly by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a shell still for liquids, means for preventing the deposition ofsolid matter on a heated surface of the shell, comprising a frame ofintercommunicating pipe members, means for unilaterally supporting saidframe longitudinally of between said pipes in communication with each,

a plurality of discharge elements on said dis- I charge pipe, directedtoward the shell bottom, means for supplying steam to-said distributingpipe and means for limited oscillation of the structure.

3. In a heated liquid container, means for preventing deposition ofsolid matter on the heated inner surface thereof, comprising a pipedisposed longitudinally of said container in closely spaced relation tosaid heated surface, a plurality of fluid discharge members opening fromsaid pipe toward the heated surface, means for supplying a fluid to saidpipe under pressure, and means for oscillating the pipe laterally aboutthe longitudinal axis of said container.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 in which the pipe is disposed foroscillatory motion through an arc of less than 180.

EDWARD A. RUDIGIER.

